Tom Edward Yager, son of Pete and Margaret (Senger) Yager was born on September 28, 1953 in Devils Lake. He grew up in the Lake Region, attending school in Crary, ND and graduating from Devils Lake High School. He graduated from NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND and upon graduation, worked for Murphy Sheet Metal in Grand Forks, ND. Tom then worked for SKYTECH, a firm that installed skylights, which took Tom to every state in the U.S. except Alaska. He was employed there until ill health forced his retirement.

Tom was united in marriage April 3, 1983 to Janece Honka in Las Vegas, NV. His greatest pleasure was being a Dad to his children, Diane and Austen.